The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Reappointment of Howard Goldberg to the Designer Selection Committee (8-0) for a term of office to expire December 31, 2025
- Reappointment of Amy L. MacKrell to the Designer Selection Committee (8-0) for a term of office to expire December 31, 2025
- Reappointment of Carol S. Schein to the Design Review Committee (8-0) for a term of office to expire December 31, 2025
- Reappointment of Peter J. Barrer to the Design Review Committee (8-0) for a term of office to expire December 31, 2025
- Reappointment of David Gillespie to the Design Review Committee (8-0) for a term of office to expire December 31, 2025
The Public Facilities Committee voted to hold the following:
- Discussion of the Bullough’s Pond Dam rehabilitation project (8–0). Representatives from the State Office of Dam Safety (ODS) and GEI Consultants presented an update on plans to address the dam’s structural deficiencies, which the state has classified as a “significant hazard” for the seventh year in a row. The proposed solution—costing approximately $2.3 million—includes erosion protection using articulated concrete blocks and removal of 199 trees from the dam slopes to prevent root damage during storm events.
- The design is based on a 100-year storm scenario and aims to prevent overtopping and potential catastrophic failure.
- An inundation map showed water would flow through Newton North High School and surrounding neighborhoods if the dam failed. The dam is a significant hazard, not a high hazard because loss of life is not predicted.
- Councilors questioned the necessity and cost of extensive tree removal and discussed the project’s impact on wildlife and nearby roads. Director of the State Office of Dam Safety Salomaa explained that the tree removal policy is one of the most consistent policies they require dam owners to follow when putting together repair projects for aged dams. “…trees do not belong on dams” is a principle regularly brought up in dam safety training seminars. Tree roots can penetrate embankments, which over time may cause them to tear apart. Additionally, shallow-rooted trees can be toppled by wind, compromising the dam’s stability. Dam safety engineers prefer to see uniform grass growth mowed several times a year on dams. This makes for easier inspection, identification of deficiencies and maintenance, especially on the embankments. A councilor asked what blocks do to protect the slope that trees do not… “blocks are designed to prevent erosion of the soil underneath, whereas trees in a flood condition can promote it.” The option to save the trees and create a spillway upstream would cost 3 to 4 times as much and leave still leave the dam at risk of failure.
- The selected design was compared with two costlier alternatives ($2.9M and $3.5M) that would have required more extensive roadwork and utility relocation. Project duration would be 3 to 4 months.
- City officials explained that any viable design would require significant tree removal and that replanting efforts will follow in consultation with the City Forester.
- The committee will revisit the matter after further review of wildlife impact, final design details, and possible grant funding.
- Removing the dam was not considered because the Bullough’s Pond Association wants to preserve the pond.
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Leary, Kelley, Gentile, Getz, Danberg, Laredo, and Kalis
Also Present: Councilors Malakie, Lucas, Micley, Wright, Downs, Farrell, and Krintzman
City Staff: Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works
Bernie McDonald, Director of Utilities Thomas Fitzgerald, and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo
Robert Lowell, Deputy Chief of Design and Engineering of the State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR); Bill Salomaa, State Director of the Office of Dam Safety (ODS), including ODS; David Ouellette, permanent engineer with ODS.
Former City Engineer Lou Taverna; Lee Wooten of GEI Consultants
